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April 6, 2011

CVAC’s Annual Memorial Service will be April 10, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Decatur, beginning at 7 pm.

Our keynote speaker is Claudia A. Barnes.

Her topic will be “God Makes No Mistakes”

"I am now one of many who are members of a club we did not want to join." Her husband was a victim of the Brian Nichols 2005 Fulton Co. Courthouse shootings. The full story can be viewed here Click Here.

March 11, 2005 began as usual for me and the love of my life, Judge Rowland W. Barnes. There was absolutely no warning that my whole life would be transformed into one of despair, heartache and utter turmoil in the matter of a few minutes. The Fulton County Courthouse assassinations of Rowland and his court reporter, Julie Brandau, along with the murders of Deputy Hoyt Teasley and Federal Agent David Wilhelm, plus many other acts of violence, changed so many lives.

It was two months later in May, on a motorcycle trip to Washington, D.C. to honor fallen peace officers, that my mind was cleared and my heart at peace. There were several times when I was asked unexpectedly to address those attending the planned events. All I could expound on was the fact that God makes no mistakes. I was asked to return the next year as a guest speaker. Having worked at the courthouse myself for 24 years, I remained at my job for another three and a half years. Every day during those last years, I had to force myself to go to the building of the crimes. God led many employees to my office, as well as visitors, who seemed to find a source of comfort in my presence. In 2006, I was asked to become a Board Member for CVAC. It's amazing what God has done through me to assist other victims in their struggle to comprehend the change of paths in their lives. He has also led me to fight for new legislation for victims, to speak out in the community, and has given me a passion to spread information to a society who knows nothing personally about the effects crime has on others.

Please join us in celebrating your loved one’s life and your continuing love for them.

Followers

For Richard...

I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new I thought about you yesterday and days before that too, I think of you in silence I often speak your name All I have are memories and your picture in a frame Your memory is my keepsake with which I’ll never part God has you in His keeping I have you in my heart.